It’s been a chaotic year in women’s NCAA Division I hockey, and that chaos followed through to the very end of the season. Last weekend was the Frozen Four, hosted by the University of Minnesota at Ridder Arena, and here is a sampling of the history that was made:

  • In the semifinals, Clarkson beat Ohio State and Colgate beat Wisconsin (both games went to OT), setting up a championship game of two upstate New York ECAC teams in Clarkson vs. Colgate. It was the first time the tournament had no WCHA teams in the championship game.
  • It was also Colgate’s first appearance in a championship game, and they got there after a beautiful goal from Breanne Wilson-Bennett in 2OT./
  • On Saturday, Boston College freshman Daryl Watts became the first freshman to win the Patty Kazmaier Award (the Hobey Baker for women’s hockey). Watts is 18, and outscored everyone else in the country by seven points because she is absolutely terrifying. Her performance this season was so good, and as much as I hoped Victoria Bach would win, I didn’t see any way the selection committee would give the award to anyone but Watts.
  • Sunday’s championship game also went to overtime—it was the first time all three games in the championship weekend required extra time. It was ended by another phenomenal freshman, Élizabeth Giguère of Clarkson, with one of the nicest goals I’ve seen from anyone, on any team, this season:/
  • Speaking of Clarkson, this is their third national championship in five years. They’re still the only non-WCHA team to win a national title, but they have three of them, and have firmly established themselves as an East Coast hockey powerhouse. /

Sunday was the end of the NCAA season, but we’ll have more to say about this year’s senior class in the leadup to the CWHL draft—there are a lot of Ontarians I’ve had my eye on all year. Just to start: Shea Tiley, who ended her brilliant collegiate career with two straight championships, should strongly consider entering the CWHL draft and playing for a GTA team. Strongly. Shea, if you’re reading this, you would look lovely in Furies blue.

(I would like it noted, for the record, that everyone that Annie has highlighted this week is Canadian and Hockey Canada should pay attention - nafio)

NCAA

SB Nation’s Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll: Frozen Finale - The Ice Garden
We wrap up the season with a new dynasty emerging and hope for the future in a few teams.

Clarkson women's hockey back to championship game after thrilling 1-0 win over Ohio State | NorthCountryNow
The first ever meeting between Clarkson and Ohio State turned into an instant classic as the Golden Knights defeated the Buckeyes 1-0 in overtime of the semifinals of the NCAA Frozen Four on Friday evening at Ridder Arena.

Daryl Watts Wins 21st Annual Patty Kazmaier Award - The Heights
BC women's hockey forward Daryl Watts became the first freshman to ever win the Patty Kazmaier Award on Saturday morning, earning national player of the year honors.

SHE’S ELECTRIC! Daryl Watts Makes History, Becomes First Freshman To Win The Patty Kazmaier Award - BC Interruption
No freshman or sophomore had ever won the award... until now.

Sudden end to season brings what-ifs for Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team | Wisconsin Badgers Hockey | host.madison.com
The second-ranked Badgers were left with what-if feelings after a double-overtime, 4-3 loss to No. 3 Colgate ended their season late Friday night.

She Took Over Ohio State’s Scarred Hockey Program. A Title Is 2 Wins Away. - The New York Times
Nadine Muzerall, who was a star player at the University of Minnesota, has the Buckeyes in the Frozen Four just two years after she became their coach in the wake of two scandals. [Ed. Note: this is a great piece with great quotes, but Ohio State's goaltender is Kassidy Sauvé, not Kennedy]

Clarkson women's hockey team returns home back-to-back champs | NCPR News
Clarkson University is the national champion of women's hockey - again. The Golden Knights beat Colgate in overtime Sunday at the Frozen Four Division I tournament in Minnesota to seal back-to-back championships.

Women's Hockey: Colgate loses NCAA championship game in OT
MINNEAPOLIS — Conference foes Colgate University and defending national champion Clarkson University knew each other all too well entering Sunday's NCAA title game.The familiarity between the ECAC regular season co-champions proved to be true as the women's hockey national title game needed an extra period to crown a winner at Ridder Arena.

North Dakota castaways get chance at 2018 ice hockey championship at Women's Frozen Four
A year after her Fighting Hawks program folded, Kristen Campbell stands tall in net for Wisconsin in the national semifinals. She's joined by former teammates Charly Dahlquist (Ohio State) and Malia Schneider (Colgate) at the Women's Frozen Four.

U Sports

Bisons cap off remarkable season with national women’s hockey championship | Winnipeg Sun
Once they finally won that elusive first game at the national championship there was simply no stopping the Manitoba Bisons.The Bisons won their first Canadian U Sports women’s hockey title on Sunday afternoon, beating the host Western Mustangs 2-0.

Women's hockey caps fantasy run with national silver medal | Sports | westerngazette.ca
The Western Mustangs women's hockey team received silver medals for their performance in the U Sports national championship.

Concordia captures U Sports bronze with win over Saskatchewan | Sports | westerngazette.ca
The Concordia Stinger defeated the Saskatchewan Huskies 4–0 on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Stingers were awarded bronze medals at the U Sports women’s hockey national championship.

Jon Rempel named best women’s hockey coach in Canada | The Manitoban
In his fourteenth season behind the University of Manitoba Bisons bench, head coach Jon Rempel has been named U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Coach of the Year.

X-Women’s Oddy named U Sports women’s hockey player of the year | The Chronicle Herald
St. Francis Xavier X-Women forward Daley Oddy was named the U Sports women’s hockey player of the year on Wednesday night in London., Ont.

CWHL

Clarkson Cup Final Sunday March 25, Markham Thunder vs Kunlun Red Star, Noon EDT (Sportsnet)

CWHL Playoffs:Calgary shuts out KRS, Markham Thunder beat Montréal (OT) - Pension Plan Puppets
Dakota Woodworth and Jamie Lee Rattray with the game winners.

CWHL Playoffs: KRS tie series in overtime 3-2, Markham Thunder are going to the Final! - Pension Plan Puppets
Jenna McParland’s hat trick punched the Thunder’s ticket to the Clarkson Cup Final.

CWHL Playoffs: Kunlun Red Star beat Calgary Inferno in triple OT - Pension Plan Puppets
Alex Carpenter scored the lone goal in the longest game in Clarkson Cup Playoff history.

CWHL title to be decided this Sunday - Sportsnet.ca
Toronto Furies' Renata Fast & Erica Howe from the Markham Thunder join Greg Brady & Elliott Price to discuss Fast's silver medal in the Winter Games, the rivalry with the Americans, to preview the Clarkson Cup Final featuring Howe's Thunder against the Kunlun Red Star, and the growth of the league.

Les Canadiennes’ (mis)adventures in China - Eyes On The Prize
Matching shirts, Cirque de Soleil, loose dogs and oh yeah, there was hockey too...

Four Canadiennes nominated for CWHL awards - Eyes On The Prize
Montreal has nominees for MVP, goalie of the year, defender of the year and coach of the year

Kelli Stack on Olympic snub, Clarkson Cup dreams - The Ice Garden
The CWHL superstar opens up about missing the Olympic roster and what winning the CWHL title would mean

How the CWHL is growing women’s hockey in China - The Globe and Mail
The KRS squad is a fascinating blend of Chinese women and other elite players

Cassie Campbell-Pascall resigns as CWHL governor ahead of league's marquee weekend | The Hockey News
Cassie Campbell-Pascall has resigned from the CWHL's board just days ahead of the Clarkson Cup final, which is set to take place Sunday in Toronto.

North American female hockey players set sights on one pro league after Olympics | Toronto Star
USA Hockey’s victory against Canada brought positive attention to the sport. Two leagues are competing for that increased interest — and many players.

NWHL

Isobel Cup Final Sunday March 25, Buffalo Beauts vs Metropolitan Riveters, Noon EDT (NWHL Live)

Beauts, Riveters Win NWHL Semi-Finals
The Buffalo Beauts and the Metropolitan Riveters won their respective NWHL Isobel Cup semifinal games this past weekend and will now vie for the championship on March 25.

The Riveters rout the Whale 5-0, will host Beauts in Isobel Cup Final - The Ice Garden
The Riveters were brilliant against the Whale. Bring on the Beauts.

Beauts punch ticket to third consecutive Isobel Cup Final - The Ice Garden
Sarah Casorso sends Buffalo to the Isobel Cup Final after dramatic comeback

Buffalo Beauts score in overtime to earn third straight Isobel Cup appearance – The Buffalo News
The Buffalo Beauts will get a chance to defend their crown.

2018 NWHL Award Winners - The Ice Garden
Some of the NWHL’s most exceptional players earned recognition for their achievements this year.

NWHL Fan Feedback Part 1: Positive Praise • Double G Sports
Fans were given the opportunity to submit feedback via a form, or through twitter or email.

NWHL Fan Feedback Part 2: Concerns & Constructive Criticism • Double G Sports
Fans were given the opportunity to submit feedback via a form, or through twitter or email.

NWHL player came out to family with a mixture of heartache and joy - Outsports
Anya Battaglino found the courage and support to become a champion of equality.

International hockey

Q & A With Riikka Välilä - The Ice Garden
One of the all-time greats on retirement, comebacks, and why she doesn’t feel the need to be a mentor.

Duke Olympian Will Soon Defend Her Ph.D. | Duke Today
Q&A with Randi Griffin, Duke student and forward for historic Korean hockey team

What’s next for Russia? - The Ice Garden
Following their best Olympics finish ever, the Russian program has some serious potential. How can they build on their current momentum?

Hilary Knight Interview - Olympic - International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF
U.S. Olympic superstar speaks out in Montreal

Hilary Knight talks life after Olympic gold, 'One League' movement, hanging with SNL cast | NHL | Sporting News

Para hockey

Sled hockey women are fighting USA Hockey for recognition – ThinkProgress
"My goal is to make it to at least one Paralympics in my life and I will not stop going for my dream."

Winter Paralympics: 'Don't go easy on me because I'm a woman' - BBC News
Lena Schroeder plays para ice hockey for Team Norway and is the only woman on the ice at the Winter Paralympics

European league hockey

SWHL (Sweden) The ZSC Lions are close to winning another championship title - swisshockeynews.ch
The ZSC Lions are close to adding the third consecutive championship title to their record.

WHL (Russia) Women’s Hockey Update: March 20th, 2018 | CONWAY'S RUSSIAN HOCKEY BLOG
There was not too much in the way of Women's Hockey League action this past week, with just two pairs of games on the schedule.

EWHL (Europe) Crossing the continent
European opposition sharpens Hvidovre's game

AWIHL (Australia)

2018 AWIHL playoffs | Ice Hockey News Australia
The Melbourne Ice have won the 2018 Joan McKowen Trophy after defeating the 4-2 Sydney Sirens in the grand final.

Melbourne Ice Cement a Dynasty - The Ice Garden
Melbourne Ice take down the Sydney Sirens 4-2 to claim their 6th championship

Women's HockeyCanadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL)